Four varsity seasons on the hardwood have taught Kiana Patterson a great deal.

As one of the area's premier guards, Patterson watched some of her teammates go through the recruiting process. The 5-foot-6 junior point guard came to the realization she wanted to have her choice made prior to the start of her senior campaign in December.

"There is a lot of relief. I don't have to stress anymore about where I am being recruited," Patterson said. "It definitely feels good to have it done."

Patterson earned second-team Large School all-star honors from the Times Union last month after averaging 16.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals in her fourth varsity season. She also knocked down 56 3-pointers and shot 74 percent from the foul line.

Patterson said the CCSU coaching staff was in constant communication with her throughout her junior campaign.

"On the first day they were able to contact me on Sept. 1, they did and stayed in touch ever since," Patterson said. "I visited the school three times. I loved the coaching staff, the team, the school and the campus. After the third trip, I decided that is where I wanted to spend my four years of college."

As a sophomore, Patterson helped lead the Flying Horses to the state Class A title and a berth in the Federation Tournament of Champions title game at Times Union Center.

She plays during the spring and summer months with the Lady City Rocks.

Among the other Division I schools that Patterson considered were Mount St. Mary's, Hartford, Manhattan and Siena.

Troy senior guard Mary Pattison, a teammate of Patterson for four seasons, is headed to Hartford in the fall to play for coach Jennifer Rizzotti. Patterson said she seriously considered a Troy High reunion before settling in on CCSU.

"She is only 10 miles away, so we will see each other," Patterson said. "I loved playing with Mary."

The Blue Devils finished 11-17 overall and 5-13 in the NEC during the 2013-14 season.

Patterson will be a combo guard, splitting time between point and shooting guard.

"I know I can shoot the ball well, so I can handle things on the wing." Patterson said.

Nothing but blanks

For the fourth straight game Monday, the Albany Academy baseball team prevailed and shut out its Colonial Council opponent. The Cadets did so with four different starters.

Monday, junior Connor Morgan extended the team's scoreless streak to 33 innings. He allowed three hits and struck out 11 in a 1-0 victory over Fonda.

Sophomore Carter Knapek (nine strikeouts) blanked Ichabod Crane on Friday on a three-hitter in a 13-0 triumph. Senior Dan Burgess limited Cohoes to four hits and struck out seven in a 6-0 win and sophomore Carter Knapek limited Schalmont to four hits in 61/3 innings on April 22, striking out 10, in a 2-0 victory over the Sabres.